ORS 541.929: Duties of board; integrated watershed planning framework; expenditures.

(1) In addition to the duties set forth in ORS 541.926, in carrying out the provisions of ORS 541.890 to 541.969, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: (a) Shall establish a framework for a locally based integrated watershed planning and management process designed to assist watershed councils, soil and water conservation districts and other partners and to support the efforts of watershed councils, soil and water conservation districts and other partners to work within the requirements of state and federal laws without duplication of planning effort. The framework shall include all of the following: (A) Guidance and protocols for watershed assessments to encourage consistent assessment methods across all watersheds and agencies, including assessment of cumulative effects. At a minimum, such guidance shall address the following plan components: (i) A description of the watershed; (ii) An assessment of current watershed conditions and the distribution and condition of habitat; and (iii) Identification of conditions preventing watershed restoration. (B) Guidance on how to prepare watershed action plans. At a minimum, such guidance shall address the following plan components: (i) Applicable water quality standards and native salmonid and habitat recovery objectives; (ii) Proposed measures needed to restore watershed health; (iii) Timeline and budget estimates for implementation of action measures in priority order; and (iv) Monitoring and evaluation systems. (b) May review plans, actions and rules of state agencies pertaining to restoration and protection grants for the purpose of coordinating the board’s grant program with other ongoing grant programs. (c) Shall establish statewide and regional goals and priorities that shall become the basis for funding decisions by the board. In adopting such goals and priorities, the board shall adopt priorities for grant funding based on the Oregon Plan, the Oregon Conservation Strategy, the watershed health and native fish recovery programs of this state and measurable goals. In carrying out this function, the board shall consider local economic and social impacts among the criteria. (d) Shall support development and implementation of a system that enables standardized collection, management and reporting of natural resources information in Oregon, including water data, geographic information system data and information on native fish and wildlife and habitat. (e) Shall promote the availability of information on the effects of watershed enhancement. (f) May not have regulatory or enforcement authority except for the fiscal responsibilities described in ORS 541.890 to 541.969. (2) In addition to any other expenditures consistent with ORS 541.945, moneys in the Watershed Conservation Operating Fund may be expended in the form of grants or allocations: (a) To soil and water conservation districts and watershed councils for costs of employing staff to further the development and implementation of activities, projects and programs for the purposes described in ORS 541.945; or (b) For a specific project or program application or for implementation of an approved action plan. (3) To the maximum extent practicable, soil and water conservation districts and watershed councils shall share technical staff. [Formerly 541.371]